NOTHING BUT THE BEST FOR THE OCTBOX ANGLERS
Choose between the MK18 D25 professional seatbox and two light, compact creations sure to please
Octbox MK18 D25 seatbox RRP: £550
LAUNCHED last year, the Octbox MK13 D25 system looked to be the ultimate in seatboxes.
But despite tremendous build quality, cavernous storage and more features than you could shake a stick at, those plaudits weren’t enough for the Octbox team. They’ve returned with the MK18 D25 – and it’s a belter!
Essentially the same box frame as the original, the new D25 has a host of cosmetic and practical improvements to raise the bar even further.
The bedrock of the D25 has been and continues to be its amazing strength when set-up. Tested in a Cambridge laboratory against flagship models of the top 10 best-selling brands, the Octbox swept to victory in terms of strength and stability – just look at the image (right) of four anglers stood on the box with the inner legs extended on this page to see what we’re talking about!
All this comes about from using only the lightest alloys and more than 180 high-precision welds. This makes it incredibly robust and solid, while the all-metal welded leg clamps that fix both the inner and outer legs have less lateral movement than on any other system. The box has been tested to weights up to 25 stones without slipping.
Legs have been altered too, with mudfeet disposed of and replaced by a metal-spiked foot that grips the terrain like a vice.
So what takes the D25 to another level? It all begins with the footplate quick lock system. The underside of the footplate has guide blocks that makes pulling the footplate out smoother and stops it when fully extended so that the two plunger bolts can be released to lock the footplate in position.
The footplate is also much stronger, achieved by replacing mesh plates riveted in between the tubular frame with a complete alloy skin, allowing weight to be spread more evenly.
Octbox has also added two posts on to the rear of the heightadjustable frame. These allow the bait waiter to be docked in the space between the footplate and height frame when not in use.
Apart from the fact that it makes use of this space, when the bait waiter is ‘docked’ it actually gives the box a new deep storage area accessed by opening the drawer module like a lid. There’s 10cm of depth here, which means large items such as reels and bait boxes can be stashed away.
As ever, a range of accessories is on offer to build the D25 into the system that suits you. There are keepnet adaptors, a bait waiter and pole support , but of particular
note is the new and innovative keepnet adaptor system built into the box as standard.
This allows up to three nets to be fitted in seconds without the need for additional arms or adaptor bars to be in place.
To complement the bait waiter you can buy a new second waiter that takes a large bowl for groundbait or pellets when feeder fishing. This fits under the original waiter and can be swivelled into position next to the angler’s knee, or out of the way if it starts raining. Now let’s take a look at tackle storage. There are multiple drawer configuration options on the D25, with the main module measuring 7cm deep. In this space you can pick from a large 6.5cm, one 4cm and one 2cm, two 3cm or three 2cm-deep drawers to make up the space. What you go for is entirely up to you but if you can’t decide, the box comes with a 2cm and 4cm tray as standard.
For an extra £35 you can invest in another 7cm module for more trays and more storage.
Finally, there’s been a big change on the wheel kit front. The Octbox can be turned into a barrow simply by adding wheels and handles. You can go for either twin wheels or a single central wheel, both of which are PU foam punctureproof, bigger, and fitted with better bearings for a smoother journey. If you prefer a four wheel system, a separate pair of back wheels can be purchased.
And there you have it – the brilliant can be improved upon!
If you’ve looked for a box but not found one that’s 100 per cent suited to you then take a look at the D25. With the mass of options and extras to pick from, this Octbox will satisfy even the most particular of shoppers!